MAGIX MUSIC MAKER PREMIUM 2018

MAGIX MUSIC MAKER PREMIUM 2018

£59.99

Over the years I've seen many beginner friendly digital audio workstations fall by the wayside. Cost effective DAWs have stopped making waves. Let's find out why Music Maker Premium has stood the test of time...

STABILITY

This 2018 version feels reassuringly stable, interface pixel residue is now a thing of the past, it feels like a DAW for ambitious musicians. Music Maker Premium has arrived with style! 

Testing further, some serious VST Instruments and effects were accessed through the interface and they presented no problem whatsoever. Sugar Bytes Factory, Cyclop and Looperator worked flawlessly! What will crash any solid DAW is poorly programmed free VSTs that can be found on various websites, MMP 2018 handled a lot of them well - I've amassed quite a collection over the years and a majority of them worked fine. Note hang is problematic on a few of these free synthesizers; you stop the track and the note or notes continues to sound. I found that when I had an issue with hanging notes it could be solved by stopping and starting the track several times. But MMP 2018 didn't crash! Or I had to switch the preset to another one, which tells me that there could be a fix by reducing the envelope parameters such as sustain (of the presets).  

So, you can use these free VSTs at a small risk that some could cause MMP 2018 to not function properly.

Oh, the one thing to be aware of is that VST Instruments with separate outputs won't work! You'll need another type of DAW that's aimed at professionals such as Music Maker's mothership, Samplitude X3. The VST Instrument in question happened to be a drum synth, but it's not a deal breaker as MAGIX provides built-in drum synthesizers such as the great sounding Drum Engine!

SYNTH & EFFECTS

There's a great range of synthesizers and effects that comes as part of the package. With the instruments, you get to choose what's relevant for you, and there's an option to purchase more directly from the interface but they are unique to MMP 2018. Gone are the BeatBox and Robota drum machines, which is a shame as they were truly great. You could use your own samples to form some amazing custom kits in BeatBox! On the plus side you get Ozone Elements by iZotope, which adds to the mastering capabilities! 

SOUNDPOOLS

The Soundpool is the MAGIX equivalent to sample loop vendors online. It seems that sample loop optical discs are a relic of yesteryear! MMP 2018 delivers one heck of an uppercut to the competition! You see, with many sample loop/beat vendors you'll find that many “collections” are sparse and incomplete - especially the ones from name producers/DJs/musicians. Not so with MAGIX Soundpools as they are the building blocks that can create enumerate tracks! Like the Instruments, the loops are varied from genre to genre: modern Electronic, Soul, Jazz, Funk, Classical, etc.

IN USE

MMP 2018 has been executed with aplomb! There were no loose ends to speak of as with past versions. The little niggles that made MMP a little frustrating to work with are gone. The main offender we the interface hanging on the screen and some of the built-in instruments freezing and bleeding sound to the point where I'd have to reboot. 

WISHES

Please bring back the BeatBox and Robota drum machines. Maybe it's time to update the mixer? I'm thinking more tone options: high, mid, low and sub. Plus some automation on the controls. Please allow for separate outputs on VSTs. 

I think that's it!

CONCLUSION

MAGIX Music Maker Premium 2018 has finally reached an irrefutable professionalism by cleaning up the interface and embracing the Internet as part of it. This is a great leap forward for the MMP concept. There is no other competing DAWs at the moment at this great for beginners yet very good for professionals level. 

Videographers will find MMP 2018 an absolute must have for soundtrack creation. 

DJs can create original mixes, sets and so on. 

SCORE

Music Maker Premium 2018 is truly the business and scores an Electrochemy Platinum! Well done MAGIX!

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH ELECTROCHEMY TV???

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH ELECTROCHEMY TV???

That’s a good question… What the heck is going on with Electrochemy TV these days, huh??? Well, for the past couple of years I have been dealing all sorts of issues from institutions that are supposed to have impeccable filing systems. I have had to contend with bunch of real incompetent people, I’ve never witnessed anything like this before… People in important positions are actually proud of being utterly dumb! These people revel in being totally unhelpful! It is unreal! Yes, the Tax Office is a pain in the ass!

GOOGLE/YOUTUBE
If it’s not one thing, it’s the other! Now, YouTube has stopped monetizing the Electrochemy TV channel! I have tried communicating with Google/YouTube to no avail.

Monetization is essential in order to keep the channel going! Creating videos is a huge task and in order to produce programmes on a full-time basis monetization is essential!

IN THE MEANTIME
Electrochemy TV will continue with reviews and Free VST instruments and effects!

In the meantime, I will look for an alternative to YouTube!

Stay tuned!

Best wishes,

Al
Electrochemy TV

ELECTROCHEMY REVIEWS MAGIX SAMPLITUDE PRO X3 SUITE

SAMPLITUDE PRO X3 SUITE

£449.99 SALE
£748.99 REGULAR - POST SALE
It’s been almost 2 years since I reviewed Samplitude Pro X2 Suite. Check out that video here: https://youtu.be/f-koWYJW9TE?t=25m30s

WHAT’S NEW?
On the surface Samplitude Pro X3 Suite looks very similar to version X2 but on closer inspection there are a multitude of new elements to this leading DAW!

There’s the Orange Vocoder ME by Zynaptiq and a range of new virtual instruments… Let me use text from MAGIX to describe these new virtual instruments…

Pop Drums

Pop Drums include an authentic mix of electronic and acoustic drum sets. Lay down a powerful foundation for music in genres from New Wave and Pop to Rock and EDM.

Concert Grand

Based on the a recording of a concert grand in an international concert hall, this piano is impressive with its character and detailed articulation.

Cinematic Soundscapes

Weave a colorful tapestry of sound or create atmospheric background music. Cinematic Soundscapes adds a sense of depth and tension to your productions.

Church Organ

This software instrument is based on an authentically sampled Venetian church organ. A huge range of options for sound manipulation expand the repertoire of these instruments even further. They're perfect for use in rock ballads, hip hop tracks and modern dance productions.

Plus…

DDP export

Due to popular request, DDP export is now also included in Samplitude. In addition to physical mastering, you can transfer data digitally with checksum. This guarantees a smooth pressing process.

MP3/AAC audition plug-in

The new preview plug-in enables you to preview results before export and guarantees outstanding sound for your mix. Work on pitch to do away with muffled sounds of compressed formats or factor in features from various encoders to create masters compatible with iTunes and other music platforms.

SOUND FORGE Pro

Comprehensive functions in the areas of editing and mastering make SOUND FORGE Pro 11 the perfect companion plug-in for Samplitude Pro X3 Suite. The powerful Audio Editor works on a precise, sample-based level and offers an excellent selection of tools for mixing and finalizing music productions.

Melodyne Essential
Then there’s Celemony's Melodyne Essential that is an audio editor that can correct pitch and timing.

There are more new components to Samplitude Pro X3 but I have just listed the major ones above. You may or may not know, but MAGIX have recently acquired Sony’s Creative Software that includes Sound Forge! It will be interesting to see where MAGIX will take Sound Forge in the not too distant future!

ODDLY

What’s a little odd is that MAGIX has retained the “Object Synths” in the form of the Loop Designer (beat and bass machine); BeatBox 2 Plus and Robota. These instruments aren’t bad - far from it! However, the Loop Designer is still not able to handle any sample drum loop in the WAV file format. By now, one should be able to drop just about any WAV file on the Loop Designer and it’ll automatically be rearranged for mangling! It’s not a disaster as there are dedicated instruments and effects from VST creators such as Sugar Bytes. The Looperator (Sugar Bytes) is the Loop Designer concept taken to the extremes! That said, the Loop Designer is great for knocking out quick beats and basslines!

I am pleased to let you know that MAGIX has fixed the glitch that stopped the Loop Designer from looping correctly.

IN USE
I found Samplitude Pro X3 Suite to be just as easy to use as the last version - more so because the elements such as the Loop Designer being able to loop correctly upon playback have been fixed. MAGIX has certainly tightened up the loose screws here. At last it is possible to add tempo changes upon audio as well as MIDI! Awesome! It is about time - pun intended!

It’s so very easy to navigate through the user interface as I have gotten used it over the years. And it is also so very easy to get a great sound with the Brickwall Limiter, sMax11, Analog Modelling Suite, Multiband Enhancer and EQ116 - all included in the Suite version. As you would expect, I have a host of mastering plug-ins that can also help me achieve a good mix with Samplitude Pro X3 Suite; it is amazing what you can get for free these days!

STEPPING UP
Samplitude Pro X3 Suite is what I would call a studio oriented DAW; it is solid and will work with most hardware. I don’t have a studio as such as I am a computer musician and SAM Pro X3 easily fulfills my needs.

Is it worth upgrading if you are using satellite DAW, Music Maker (Premium)? It depends on a few factors…

01. Music Maker (Premium) does not work with VST instruments that require separate output such as a drum synth. So, if you have purchased a VST could benefit from having multiple channels then I would say “go for it”!

02. If your computer music focuses upon sample loops mainly then I don’t see the point of advising you to step up in such a major way. SAM Pro X3 Suite is the mothership!

03. Is it worth stepping up from another DAW such as Sonar? Yes, I would say so without a doubt. You are getting a superb DAW with a plethora of instruments - including Independence with a 70GB library - and top-notch studio effects.

The DAW cat amongst the pigeons is Cockos REAPER! I think REAPER slays a lot of the current DAWs currently on the market. REAPER pretty much matches most DAWs in terms of features; new features are added through regular updates. And if that’s not enough, you can run REAPER from a USB stick! However, SAM Pro X3 Suite holds its own against REAPER. Why? If you were to purchase the commercial license for REAPER it’ll cost you $225, that’s £176 (by today’s currency conversion) and by the time you have laid out for additional instruments and effects it could be that you’d have spent more than the asking price of SAM Pro X3 Suite, currently £449.99. Plus you get Sound Forge Pro 11 and that is worth $299 (£234) on its own!

Certainly, if you were about to set-up a decent home or commercial studio I would recommend Samplitude Pro X3 Suite any day of the week!

With a decked out PC setup, Samplitude Pro X3 Suite could go out on the road.

CONCLUSION
I have reviewed a lot of DAWs in my time and I have to say that MAGIX Samplitude Pro X3 Suite gives you a myriad of features for the outlay; it’s complete! It doesn’t try to be anything else but a workhorse of a DAW.

I can’t say that I’m an Ableton Live fan. Samplitude Pro X3 Suite just works how I once worked in a physical studio. Now that Synapse Audio have discontinued Orion Studio my DAW of choice is Samplitude Pro X3 Suite. What I liked about Orion Studio was that it had a lot of power wrapped in a very easy to use interface; it was just lacking a little when it came to the composition side of things. Orion Studio was like FL Studio with its pattern based way of composition. In contrast, SAM Pro X3 Suite uses the traditional linear method of composition and that makes it fluid for me to sequence my music together.  

I have yet to see a DAW beat Samplitude Pro X3 Suite hands down for such an awesome graphical user interface - it is so precise!  

SCORE
MAGIX Samplitude Pro X3 Suite scores a well-deserved Electrochemy Platinum! 

ELECTROCHEMY TV WHAT HAPPENED?

ELECTROCHEMY TV WHAT HAPPENED? 

Above: The latest episode of ELECTROCHEMY TV

If you have been following me, Al McDonald, and my project, ELECTROCHEMY TV you will understand that I have had some personal issues (that I won’t go too deeply into) which have affected the video production therefore episodes were sporadic to say the least. The beginning proved to be very, very rocky indeed! 

Lately? 2015, I was getting back into the groove so to speak... I managed to produce a couple of episodes and from there I wanted to up my game some more! Around September 2015 I invested more time, my own money and money from a sponsor to make everything better! The website had an overhaul and come October I was getting ready to drop another episode when I got a notification from the Tax Credits Office to say that I had been getting money under false pretences. In other words I had committed fraud! WHAT!!!??? I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I called the Tax Credits Office to find out what the hell they were on about... When I managed to get through – it’s an automated voice activated service that requires certain phrases – it is a bitch – I could not make head or tail as to what was being said to me. The Tax Credits Office representative seemed amused at my distress; obviously, I could not see her face but I got the feeling that the woman did not give a shit about what I was going through.

I was told that I would have to give back the money that I had received in Working Tax Credit and I was told in a way that felt like it was a personal attack – albeit a sly one! Once again I was in shock from what I was hearing over the phone. I was told a whole bunch of nonsense including the total fabrication that I was working for another company. WHAT!!!??? Nothing that was said to me made any sense and I went down in a spiral of shock and disbelief. When I came off the phone I was shell-shocked! I kept saying, “Why now?” over and over again. After about 20 minutes I pulled myself together and I started to investigate this so-called company that I was said to be working for and I couldn’t find out anything. I then called up the main Tax Office to find out more and they had an accurate record of my employment history. I was relieved but I know this fucked up system in that they are all interlinked but each department are separate entities and essentially what that means is that the Tax Credits Office was not going to lift a finger to find out whether what they were telling me had any foundation; I kept refuting all the allegations against me but it did not matter to them as they kept repeating the allegations all the more as if they were true. 

I had little option but to fight against these allegations myself. I had no legal representative so that meant that I had to research everything I could in order to defend myself. I tried going to an organization called Citizens Advice Bureau but nobody there could offer any solid help. In fact the CAB volunteers get 99.9% of their information over the Internet and, sadly, the interpretation of the information is not always understood and therefore cannot be applied effectively. I had to do and I am still doing everything on my own. I was so angry and frustrated that I had to shelve my plans for video meant for October 2015 and for the Winter Holidays. I guess I went through a mini depression feeling that I had once again let all the people down who were looking forward to the next ELECTROCHEMY TV episode. Not only was my audience growing I had also managed to regain the confidence of companies that give me stuff to review. I hate feeling that I let people down. I hate what had happened to me as I had put so much effort into it. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time. 

TODAY, FEBRUARY 2016

Well, I say today but the whole picture is that I was sent into another bit of depression to learn that David Bowie had passed on. One minute I was listening to the music of his latest album, Blackstar, the next I could at least wish the Music Icon a Happy Birthday – despite all the shit I was going through and come the 10th of January 2016 I woke up to the alarming news of Bowies death. I was seriously depressed for about a week. In an odd way the Tax Credits Office crap that I was going through helped me to get over Bowie’s death in a more constructive way. Needless to say that Bowie felt like a family member as he gave me a soundtrack for just about every important era of my life. I felt like I taught myself to sing by singing along to Bowie’s albums. When I was recording my own Electronic music album all the studio engineers and I would talk about was the ‘Low’ album – such a great influence. 

Anyway, my fight against the Tax Credits Office continues. If I didn’t know better I would say that what I am going through is a personal attack. Everything that has happened just does not make any sense at all. I have a strong sense of right and wrong and I have to continue to fight these ridiculous allegations. 

My position has stabilized somewhat but I am still far from being on solid ground. Still, I managed to finish off the episode that is currently online! My battle to find out what is behind this deluge of nonsense from the Tax Credits Office is ongoing; I do hope that I can get to the bottom of it quickly as I do not want to spend unnecessary time on it. I want to get back to making more episodes very soon! I want regularity. I want to put out ELECTROCHEMY TV episodes on a regular basis like clockwork! This will happen soon! 

If you are a viewer and beloved subscriber I thank you for your patience and I want you to know that I am working hard on a release schedule! 

If you are one of the many companies sending me products to review I thank you for your patience and I ask you to continue working with me. My audience like my nontechnical reviews because they get to the heart of the matter: the essence of your product. If it works we recommend it and if it doesn’t ELECTROCHEMY TV will let you know too! ELECTROCHEMY TV has a key part to play in product reviews. 

Thank you so much for sticking with me, Al McDonald and ELECTROCHEMY TV! Here’s to a great 2016! 

Best wishes, 

Al McDonald
Director / Producer of ELECTROCHEMY TV
YOUR YouTube channel for all things Electronic music and more!
Visit: ELECTROCHEMY TV DOT COM

WILL YOU BE 1 OF THE 1ST 60?

Hi there, ELECTROCHEMY TV Viewers!

Cyber Gothic Latex Fetish Women ARE the BEST!

I hope that you had a great weekend - Bank Holiday weekend for us Brits!
Hey, ELECTROCHEMY TV is offering a prize for any one of the first 60 people to subscribe to the ELECTROCHEMY TV YouTube channel! Subscribe here: ELECTROCHEMY TV

This is 1001% genuine! You have to subscribe to win this mystery prize! 

If you are a female Cyber Gothic Fetish Steampunk Suicide Alt Model and you would like to appear in a future ELECTROCHEMY TV broadcast please message me through the ELECTROCHEMY Facebook account: ELECTROCHEMY Facebook

Add yourself to the ELECTROCHEMY MODEL SPACE

I look forward to working with you!

Thank you for reading!

Best wishes,

Al
ELECTROCHEMY TV
ELECTROCHEMY DOT COM

ALPHA-RAY ELECTROCHEMY FREE VST NEWS

Hi there, ELECTROCHEMY TV Viewers!

How are you? How are you musical projects coming along? Let me know what you are doing! There is a good chance that we can include your music in a future broadcast!

Here's the awesome Alpha-Ray synth! Yes, it is free but there is a small catch... The catch is that you have to purchase an unlock code in order to be able to save the effect settings. The good news gets better... If you, like me, decide that Alpha-Ray is very, very usable - more so with the effects - then it will cost €5.95 to unlock it! It's a bargain! 

Check it out here: ALPHA-RAY

Send me a link to the music you've made with it! Who knows? It may feature in a future broadcast!

Thank you for reading!

Best wishes,

Al
ELECTROCHEMY TV
ELECTROCHEMY DOT COM

FREE AWESOME DRUM SYNTH ELECTROCHEMY VST NEWS

Hi there, ELECTROCHEMY TV Viewers!

How's it going? I hope that all is well and that you are enjoying great Electronic music! If you happen to be a musician or taking your first steps into music making then this wonderful drum synth from Third Harmonic Studios ought to give you a buzz! Check it out! it's FREE!

Check it out here: EXD-80 DRUM SYNTH

Send me a link to the music you've made with it! Who knows? It may feature in a future broadcast!

Thank you for reading!

Best wishes,

Al
ELECTROCHEMY TV
ELECTROCHEMY DOT COM

THE GREAT HELIX ELECTROCHEMY NEWS

Hi there, ELECTROCHEMY TV Viewers!

Are you a musician? Have you heard of this potentially great synth called Helix? From what I've seen and heard it could be a vital addition to your sonic arsenal!

Check it out here: Helix

Hopefully I'll bring you a review soon!

Thank you for reading!

Best wishes,

Al
ELECTROCHEMY TV
ELECTROCHEMY DOT COM

VST PLUGIN NEWS AUGUST 2015 ELECTROCHEMY

Hi there, ELECTROCHEMY TV Viewers!

How's it going? I hope that all is well with you!

You may have already heard the bad news but VST creator, De La Mancha, has given up the VST creation ghost! No more VSTs coming from that stable.

It's such a shame as De La Mancha was very talented and produced a few awarding winning instruments and effects. Maybe he will have a change of heart! You just never know.

In the meantime you can download his instruments and effects from the following sources:

De La Mancha Plugins

Bedroom Producers Blog

Even though they are 32-bit the instruments and effects are very, very useful! The catch is that De La Mancha has withdrawn support and will not be updating these wonderful toys!

Thank you for reading!

I'll continue to share my VST findings with you in the future!

Best wishes,

Al
ELECTROCHEMY TV
ELECTROCHEMY DOT COM

SUBSCRIBE TO ELECTROCHEMY TV

Hi there, ELECTROCHEMY TV Viewers!

It's great to see you! I hope all is well and thatyou're discovering great Electronic music!

I'd like to invite you to the official ELECTROCHEMY TV website to take out a subscription and / or make a donation via PayPal. Help ELECTROCHEMY TV to expand!

ELECTROCHEMY website

In the meantime we're working hard on the next broadcast which will be online soon!

More good things are coming!

Thank you for reading!

Al
ELECTROCHEMY TV
ELECTROCHEMY DOT COM

CYBER GOTHIC WOMEN ARE THE BEST

Hi there, ELECTROCHEMY TV Viewers!

It's wonderful to see you!

I'm always looking for Cyber Gothic models for future broadcasts. If you're interested please get in touch!

You can reach me here:

ELECTROCHEMY TV Web

Thanks for reading!

Best wishes,

Al
ELECTROCHEMY TV
ELECTROCHEMY Official Website

NEW FORMAT, NEW DIRECTION

Hi there, ELECTROCHEMY TV Viewers! It's great to see you. I hope you're well.

As you can see, the ELECTROCHEMY TV website has had a makeover. I hope you'll appreciate the changes.

GONE
Gone are the links to free software; sites offering free software are there one minute and the next they are gone. Besides you should already know where to go to download genuine free software. Plus I don't see the point in doing what hundreds of websites are already doing.

Instead I'm going to share my online findings on this blog so make sure to bookmark the ELECTROCHEMY Blogger site as well as the official website:

ELECTROCHEMY dot com

I'm also going to launch some exciting competitions for subscribers to the ELECTROCHEMY TV website. It's only £3 per month!

Thanks for reading and see you soon!

Al McDonald
Editor / Producer
ELECTROCHEMY
ELECTROCHEMY TV

THE RETURN

Hi there, Electronic Music Lovers.
ELECTROCHEMY is coming back very soon.

I've had to take some necessary time off for reasons of a very personal nature. And now that I've recovered I'm keen on getting back to doing what I love.

Stay tuned…

Best wishes,

Al